INTERIORS • HOTEL
HISTORY TURNED INTO HEAVENLY HOSPITALITY By Nader Ramadan Images courtesy of Martyn Lawrence Bullard Design Photography by Francis Amiand
I
n a move that will become the hallmark of his career, American designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard restores the historic Chateau Gutsch to its previous glory, transforming this iconic location into a stunningly luxurious hotel of 27 guest rooms and suites. His clients being two Swiss billionaire media moguls Alexander Lebedev and his son Evgeny Lebedev, felt the importance of reviving Chateau Gutsch to pay tribute to the area’s rich historical heritage. “The design brief was to create a world class boutique hotel environment with modern day luxury and old world charm. The public spaces are to be enjoyed by the locals, the Swiss visitors and tourists alike,
26
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
THE HISTORIC CHATEAU GUTSCH MAGICALLY TRANSFORMS INTO LUXURY HOTEL whilst honouring the past and the important role the Gutsch has played in Lucerne’s history. Its first grand hotel is once again the most important and imposing hotel in Lucerne and again a true Swiss [center] of style and service,” asserts a press statement from Martyn Lawrence Bullard’s press representative APR.
Originally, an 18th century manor and soon after a hunting lodge in 1884, the Chateau Gutsch gets its inspirations from King Ludwig’s Bavarian castles, widely regarded for being structures of massive scale yet unique taste. The sheer size of this 50,000 square meter structure allows you to see it from every angle of Lucerne, Switzerland. And of course, apart from size, what is a hotel without its specialty suites? It has been designed with the most unique rooms that can be found in any hotel around the world. In this particular setting, Bullard takes the visitor back to an authentic Chateau Gutsch experience. How much sweeter can that suite get?
27